Halloween

Origin The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in present day Ireland, celebrated their new year on November first. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest, and the beginning of winter (a season often associated with human death).

Origin Celts believed on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and dead merged. So, on the night of October 31st, they celebrated Samhain (pronounced sow-in). They believed the dead returned to earth on this night.

Origin Druids built huge, sacred bonfires, where people burned crops and animals as sacrifices to Celtic gods. They also wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, attempted to tell each other's fortunes. http://www.history.com/topics/halloween/videos#haunted-history-of-halloween

Activities! Trick or Treat! Origin: Trick-or-treating resembles the late medieval practice of souling, when poor people would go door to door on Hallowmas (November 1), receiving food in return for prayers for the dead on All Souls Day (November 2). Today, children go door to door in their neighborhood, saying “trick or treat” when the person opens the door. The children hold out a bag, and the person drops a piece of candy in it. Children also dress up in costumes for this event. Children typically dress up as ghost, witches, skeletons, mummies, or vampires.

Trick or Treat!

Halloween Parties (for adults)

Halloween at school

Carving Pumpkins!

Haunted Houses http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXQ-HbZbxOA

Bonfires

Food

Paper Plate Masks Materials Needed: • paper plates, • crayon or markers • cotton balls • yarn, pipe cleaners (optional) • cardboard wrapping tube or popsicle stick, glue Directions: This part is for adults to do. 1. Cut out two circles for the eyes. Then: 1. Let child draw the features on the plate, nose, mouth. 2. You can use cotton balls or yarn for hair, beard, eyebrows. The possibilities are endless. Make an animal or a creature. When done decorating your paper plate, tape a cardboard wrapping tube to the back for a handle. You can also use a chopstick, dowel, tube from a hanger or a Popsicle stick.